ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- The St. Louis Zoo on Monday received two major gifts: $2.5 million from The Wachovia Foundation and $5 million from the federal government.

The $7.5 million will be used to improve the zoo’s south entrance on Wells Drive.

Most of it will go toward building a new pedestrian bridge over Wells Drive for visitors who park in the south parking lot.

Donors and supporters hope the upgrades will create one of the most impressive zoo entrances in the country.